Eagles mum on starting quarterback

Vick not ruled out, Foles ready to go

Mike Vick still hasn't been ruled out for Sunday, but it's looking more and more like Nick Foles will get the starting nod.

Vick not ruled out, Foles ready to go

Chip Kelly seems to be playing mind games with both the media and Tampa Bay.

Mike Vick practiced for a third straight day Thursday, albeit mostly with the scout team. Nevertheless, the fact that he continues to make progress and work with his teammates means there's a chance he could suit up Sunday. That, or Kelly is trying to keep the Bucs off-guard.

"We're never going to put [Vick] in harm's way and we're always going to do what's best for the team," said Kelly. "The good thing is we still have three full days. We've got Thursday, Friday and Saturday of training to really get a full evaluation of where we are with this whole thing."

For the record, Vick was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

When asked if he could play with his pulled hamstring, Vick said: "If I had to, yes."

Kelly was right when he claimed he still has three full days to evaluate. In fact, the coach said he has until "12:59" Sunday afternoon to make a final decision since kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

"I get a feel from Mike that he is improving, and I just go day by day," Kelly elaborated.

Several players have expressed supreme confidence in Foles making the start. Remember, he did lead the Eagles to a win down in Tampa last December. Despite the thrill of that one — to date, the second-year quarterback's only win in the NFL — it doesn't mean anything. It's in the past.

"How much does that help us this Sunday? Not at all," Foles said. "It's a new season. It's a new game. They're ready to go. Both teams have new players, some new everything. It's a new game. It really doesn't help us at all. It was great last year. But this year it's a whole new deal."